Butter, dairy spreads and milk fats market in Fiji

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2023, the market for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in Fiji contracted in both volume and value. Market volume fell from 5 035 t to 4 371 t, while the market's value declined from 34.4 million $ US to 30.8 million $ US. The steepest drop occurred in 2020, when volume shrank to 3 962 t and value fell to 24.1 million $ US.

A key regulatory change took place in 2020 when the Fijian Competition and Consumer Commission reduced import duties on dairy products, including butter and spreads. This adjustment lowered costs for imported goods and influenced retail pricing, aiming to affect market access and consumer spending during a period of overall market contraction.

After the 2020 low, the market partially recovered. Volume rose to 4 589 t in 2022, with value reaching 32.7 million $ US, before moderating to 4 371 t and 30.8 million $ US in 2023. This pattern reflected fluctuating demand and supply conditions in the post-2020 period.

Production butter, dairy spreads and milk fats in Fiji

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

World map of production of butter, dairy spreads and milk fats, 2017-2020

Fiji's production of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 342 tonnes, marking a significant 10.5% drop from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 4.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2 862 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 7.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of Fiji's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats production has also decreased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 17 022 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 4.5% year-on-year decline. However, over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production value actually rose by 3.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.2%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 22 060 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest increase of 34.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the steepest decline of 19.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Fiji in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats from Fiji

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Fiji exported 106 tonnes of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats, representing a 34.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.8%, averaging an annual decline of 2.7%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 79 tonnes, which also saw the largest drop of 40.7%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 133 tonnes.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the largest buyers of Fiji's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in volume terms were New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. New Zealand accounted for 29.6% of exports, Australia for 24.3%, and the United States for 23.4%. Together, these three countries made up 77.3% of Fiji's total exports in this category.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Fiji in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Fiji's exports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats in value terms reached 772 thousand US dollars in 2020, up by 43.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value increased by 8.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 539 thousand US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 47.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 1 028 thousand US dollars, with the biggest increase of 45.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Fiji in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—New Zealand, the United States, and Australia—collectively accounted for 84.4% of the total value of Fiji's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats exports.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Fiji in value, 2017-2020

Imports butter, dairy spreads and milk fats to Fiji

Imports in kind, t

Fiji's imports of butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats have fallen for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country imported 1 726 tonnes, a substantial 21.0% decrease from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports dropped by 14.6%, averaging an annual decline of 5.1%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 2 307 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 14.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Fiji in kind, 2017-2020, t

During the 2017-2020 period, nearly all of Fiji's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports in volume terms came from New Zealand, which accounted for 99.0% of the total.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Fiji in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Fiji's butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats imports has declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import value stood at 7 813 thousand US dollars, a sharp 30.1% contraction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 span, imports decreased by 33.1%, with an average annual decline of 12.5%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 13 411 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Fiji in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, New Zealand dominated the import structure in value terms for butter, dairy spreads, and milk fats into Fiji, holding a 98.9% share of total imports.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Fiji in value, 2017-2020